Collapsible mantel



p 1966 M. F. BOYETT 3,271,914

COLLAPS IBLE MANTEL Filed Jan. 20, 1964 I NVENTOR.

A framg/s United States Patent 3,271,914 COLLAPSIBLE MANTEL Maxie F.Boyett, 412 Tuscaloosa Ave., Birmingham, Ala. Filed Jan. 20-, 1964, Ser.No. 338,902 1 Claim. (1. 52-36) This invention relates to a collapsiblemantel and more particularly to a fireplace mantel which is adapted tomove from a collapsed or knock-down position to an extended positionwhereby the mantel requires a minimum of space for storage and shippingand at the same time may be erected for use in a minimum of time.

An object of my invention is to provide a mantel of the characterdesignated which shall include a front panel having a fireplace openingtherein and side panels hingedly connected along opposite sides of thefront panel, together with a top panel which is hingedly connected tothe front panel and adapted to move inwardly alongside the outer surfaceof the side panels while the side panels are in collapsed position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mantel of the characterdesignated in which the various parts thereof are held in properrelationship to each other in the erected position by merely unfoldingthe various elements to extended position, thereby assuring properinstallation of the panel at all times.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a panel of thecharacter designated which shall include a sheet-like backing memberwhich may be readily snapped into place along the inner edges of thefireplace opening, thereby further facilitating the packaging andinstallation of the mantel.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a mantel of thecharacter designated which shall be simple of construction, economicalof manufacture and one which may be formed of various sizes, shapes andcolors whereby it is adapted for use with various type surroundmgs.

A mantel embodying features of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the mantel in erected position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 but showing themantel in collapsed position for shipping and storage;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmental view showing an upper, inner corner ofthe erected mantel, the backing member being omitted for the sake ofclarity; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmental view taken generally along the line 55of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention,my improved mantel comprises a front panel having a fireplace opening 11therein. Hingedly connected to opposite sides of the front panel 10 areside panels 12 and 13. Suitable hinge members 14 connect the side panels12 and 13 to the front panel 10, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.Preferably, the side panels 12 and 13 extend generally perpendicular tothe front panel 10, while in the erected position as shown, whereby thefree edges of the side panels 12 and 13 are adapted to engage the wallof a room indicated generally at 16. The side panels 12 and 13 are thusadapted to move from an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4to a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 3.

Extending in a generally horizontal direction in position to besupported by the upper edge of the front panel 10 and the upper edges ofthe side panels 12 and 13 is a top panel 17. Preferably, the top panel17 pro- "ice jects forwardly of the front panel 10, as shown in FIGS. 2and 4. Secured to the under surface of the top panel 17 inwardly of thefront panel 10 is a hinge bracket 18. Secured to the inner surface ofthe front panel 10 in alignment with the hinge bracket 18 is a hingebracket 19. The hinge brackets 18 and 19 are pivotally connected toopposite ends of link members 21 by suitable pivot pins 22. Thecomposite hinge defined by the brackets 18 and 19 and the links 21 is ofa length to hold the top panel 17 in a generally horizontal positionwhile the panel is erected. On the other hand, upon moving the top panel17 to the collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper edge of thetop panel 17 is at the same level as the upper edge of the front panel10, thereby providing a compact unit for storage and shipping.

Vertical, under-cut grooves 23 are provided along the inner edges of thefireplace opening 11, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for receivingthe free edges of a platelike backing member 24. That is, the backingmember 24 is formed of a sheet-like material which is provided withsuitable creases 25 therein which simulate the back of a conventionalfireplace. The edges of the backing member 24 are beveled, as shown inFIG. 5, to correspond to the under-cut 23 whereby the backing member maybe snapped in place in the vertically extending under-cut grooves 23. Asuitable base member 26 may be provided for the mantel, as shown in FIG.1.

To limit forward movement of the top panel 17 relative to the frontpanel 10, while the mantel is assembled, I secure a stop member 27 tothe under surface of the top panel in position to engage the upper,inner surface of the front panel, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The link 21is of a length to hold the under surface of the top panel 17 firmlyagainst the upper edge of the front panel 10 while the stop 27 is incontact with the inner surface of the front panel. Suitable stops 28 arecarried by the base member 26 in position to engage the lower innersurfaces of the side panels 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby theside panels are held in assembled position.

From the foregoing description, the assembly and disassembly of myimproved mantel will be readily understood. While the mantel is instorage or is shipped, it is in the collapsed position, as shown in FIG.3. In this position, the side panels 12 and 13 are folded inwardlyalongside the inner surface of the front panel while the top panel 17 isfolded inwardly into engagement with the outer surface of the sidepanels.

To erect the mantel, the top panel 17 is moved from the position shownin FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 whereby the stop 27engages the upper inner surface of the front panel 10. The side panels12 and 13 are then folded outwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 tothe position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. With the side panels 12 and 13thus folded outwardly, the upper edges of the side panels support theunder surface of the top panel 17, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Thebacking member 24 is inserted in the fireplace opening 11, as shown,whereby the side edges of the backing member snap into the under-cutportions 23 to thus retain the backing member in place. With the mantelthus assembled, it is placed against the wall 16, as shown in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improvedcollapsible mantel which may be readily moved from a collapsed positionto an erected position with a minimum of time and effort. By providing amantel which may be fully collapsed, when not in use, the mantelrequires a minimum of space for shipment and storage. Furthermore, byproviding a mantel having improved means associated therewith forretaining the mantel positively in an erected position, the mantel issturdy and has the general appearance of a mantel formed as an integralpart of the wall adjacent thereto.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications Without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A collapsible mantel comprising:

(a) a front panel having a fireplace opening therein,

(b) side panels at opposite sides of said front panel,

(0) means hingedly connecting each of said side panels along one edgethereof to an adjacent side edge of said front panel in position foreach side panel to move from a collapsed position alongside and inwardlyof said front panel to an extended position generally perpendicular tosaid front panel,

((1) a top panel,

(e) hinge means connecting the inner surface of said top panel to theinner surface of said front panel above said fireplace opening inposition for said top panel to extend in a generally horizontal positionperpendicular to said front panel and be supported by said side panelswhile said side panels are in said extended position and upon movementof said side panels to collapsed position said top panel is disposed tomove inwardly and downwardly alongside the collapsed side panels,

(f) means limiting forward movement of said top panel relative to saidfront panel while said top panel is held in a generally horizontalposition by said side panels,

(g) there being vertically extending under-cut grooves along the innersides of the fireplace opening, and (h) a flexible sheet-like fireplacebacking member adapted to fit within said fireplace opening with theedges of said sheet-like backing member engaging said under-cut grooves,whereby said backing mem bet is held in place.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,853,116 4/1932Erickson 46-12 1,891,157 12/1932 Heuer 312-140.-2 2,219,507 10/1940Apgar 46-l2 2,506,319 5/1950 Paul 312l40.2 3,009,752 11/1961 Margulis31214.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 10,256 1901 Great Britain. 121,823 1919 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner.

